Over the past ten weeks, the Texas Democratic Party promoted an unprecedented "Meet the Statewides" campaign on our website. Each week, we promoted content for our statewide candidates on our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. We asked candidates to submit a video, write an original op-ed, and provide biographical information. We at the TDP also penned an issue piece, sent out all material to our e-mail list, and created duplicative Spanish-language pages for each candidate.
Yesterday, we began looking back at our series by looking at our statewide judicial candidates. Read our post from yesterday ("Our "Meet the Statewides" Series: Texas Supreme Court & Court of Criminal Appeals Candidates") to read about Texas Supreme Court Candidates Jim Sharp, Blake Bailey, and Bill Moody, as well as Court of Criminal Appeals candidate Keith Hampton.
Today, we wanted to focus on our next batch of statewide candidates:
Practicing law on both sides of the docket, Barbara Ann Radnofsky is a mother, wife, teacher, and mediator. Texas educated, she’s a magna cum laude graduate from the University of Houston and an honors graduate from University of Texas Law School. In 2006, after 27 years of law practice, Barbara Ann left Vinson & Elkins as Head of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Section to become the first woman in history to serve as the Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee. She was the first woman at Vinson & Elkins to have children as an associate and attain partnership.
The Texas Attorney General picks his battles. It was a Texas Attorney General opinion which enabled Tom DeLay’s mid decade redistricting. To the great credit of the Texas Rangers in 2006, an election year, it was a Ranger who brought concrete evidence of sexual and physical abuse at the Texas Youth Commission to the Texas Attorney General. The Attorney General turned his back. Instead, he used Attorney General resources to target elderly and minority Democrats assisting the homebound to cast their mail in ballots. Attorney General Abbott squandered seven figures of discretionary funds, finding no organized widespread fraud or voter impersonation. Reports of investigators spying on an elderly woman in her bathroom and knocking on her door amid selective prosecutions of Democratic activists convey a political purpose: voter intimidation.
In the wake of the recent British Petroleum (BP) Gulf oil spill, Abbott didn’t even attempt to act like the state’s chief law enforcement officer. Despite BP’s horrific safety record, Abbott made excuses for the oil company rather than insisting that its plans and actions be scrutinized. Instead, Abbott said on May 3rd: “we’re seeing BP take all the right actions and make all the right comments.” (Source: KXAN-TV).
(Good info about our statewide candidates here. - promoted by Phillip Martin)
Over the past ten weeks, the Texas Democratic Party promoted an unprecedented "Meet the Statewides" campaign on our website. Each week, we promoted content for our statewide candidates on our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. We asked candidates to submit a video, write an original op-ed, and provide biographical information. We at the TDP also penned an issue piece, sent out all material to our e-mail list, and created duplicative Spanish-language pages for each candidate.
In the coming days, we'll be revisiting the campaign. Today, we begin with our Texas Supreme Court & Court of Criminal Appeals Candidates. Click on the links below to learn more about our statewide Democrats, and how you can help them win in 2010.
If elected, Keith Hampton will be the only judge who has handled death penalty cases in all stages of litigation – from accusation, trial, appeal and all post-conviction proceedings, including appearing before the Supreme Court of the United States.
There are no “Democratic” decisions or “conservative” analyses; there is only the exposition of law in an impartial manner. The force and persuasiveness of the reasoning of judicial opinions must stand on their own. Political labeling is best left in the legislative branch. In this democratic society, the judicial branch of government must remain outside the lawmaking world and avoid the political storms and policy shifts of the day. In this way, judges can conduct their decisionmaking in an impartial way, free from the pressures of competing interest groups. Law itself is thereby strengthened, sustained by a judiciary that moves cautiously and skeptically on the issues before it.
The “totalitarian wing” of the Court has a well-documented and thoroughly perplexing history of unprofessional actions. From the “sleeping lawyer” case in October 2000, to investigations into the judicial conduct of Sharon Keller in 2007, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is in desperate need of professional, accountable judges on its bench.
(Good info for this weekend from the TDP. - promoted by Phillip Martin)
Stay up-to-date with the latest news about the TDP State Convention on Facebook or on Twitter. If you're on Twitter, use the #TDPSC hashtag.
This week, Texas Democrats from across the state are preparing to travel to Corpus Christi for the 2010 State Convention. Throughout the week, we'll be highlighting information about our state convention, and taking a look back at our 10-week "Meet the Statewides" campaign to introduce our statewide ticket to voters across Texas.
We'd also like to highlight video of our Communications Director, Kirsten Gray, speaking on Fox 7 Austin's "Good Day" morning program last week and answering questions about what we can expect from this week's Texas Democratic Party State Convention.
Last week, the Texas Democratic Party launched our "Meet the Statewides" campaign. Each week between now and the State Convention in June, we will be featuring one of our ten statewide candidates. The campaign is designed to introduce our candidates to Texas Democrats, and provide an online resource for future communications any Democratic groups, clubs, blogs, or activists wish to produce for our statewide candidates.
Each week's "Meet the Statewides" campaign will feature the following:
A brief video introduction from the candidate
Candidate bio page
An issue piece about the candidate/campaign, written by the TDP
An op-ed from the candidate
Links to the candidate's website and social networking pages
ALL communications will be duplicated in Spanish-language format
Our first candidate we featured was Keith Hampton, running for the Court of Criminal Appeals Place 6. Keith is a well-experienced, well-qualified candidate running for a seat on the Court made most famous by the controversy surrounding Sharon Keller, and her irresponsible actions as presiding judge of the Court.
Embedded below is Keith's introductory video. Be sure to visit our website to learn more about Keith Hampton, and check back every week between now and the State Convention as we continue to introduce your statewide candidates for 2010.
We invite you to explore our new site, and watch our exciting new video that was recently unveiled to the Democratic National Committee members during their meeting in Austin. The video -- titled "By the Numbers" -- takes an in depth look at the gains we've made in Texas in recent election cycles.
The new website will make it much easier to organize online. Our clearly defined "Action Center" and flash-feature message center will simplify the search for any information you or Democrats in your community may need. In addition, content generated on our website will be cross-promoted on numerous platforms:
The revamped website is the latest in a series of efforts we at the Texas Democratic Party have made in recent months to turn Texas blue. We're proud of the way the Texas Democratic Party has grown in recent years, and others across the country are, too. That's why Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine brought the DNC to Texas to announce the following:
"Texas can do it, and Texas will do it. We are thrilled at the prospect of working side by side to turn Texas blue," Kaine told more than 300 Democrats from U.S. states and territories and abroad.
We're ready to turn Texas blue, and we know that the online community is going to play not just a supportive or secondary role, but a truly serious role in ridding the state of failed Republican leaders like Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison. Over the last three years, you've worked hand-in-hand with county parties and organizations to rebuild the Texas Democratic Party from the ground up -- and we can't thank you for your work enough.
A quick look at the work we have done together tells the story:
The number of Democratic small donors in Texas has more than quadrupled since 2005, thanks in large part to the advent of online fundraising.
Over 3,000 of you have direct access to the TDP's state of the art, interactive online voter file.
Thousands of you have come out to our local and regional trainings, to learn how we can all use new technology to run campaigns and organize in our communities.
Our work together has been remarkable, but we still have much to do. That's why the TDP has been working to strengthen and expand our online organization and strategies, to ensure that Texas Democrats can continue to work together to deliver our message for change across the state of Texas.
In addition to the new website, the TDP has launched its presence on the two popular social networking platforms, Facebook and Twitter. In the two weeks since we launched our Facebook page, over 1,500 Texas Democrats have joined our Facebook page, and in the two days since we started our Twitter account, we already have over 100 followers. With a Flickr account coming shortly, the TDP will now have a stronger online presence across these platforms so we can engage directly with you -- the people who make our Party as strong as it is.
Our new website and online efforts are the latest in our continued work to compete and win in what used to be a solidly conservative state. Today, Texans are paying the price for the failure of one party Republican rule -- a failure that shows neither the character nor the leadership that made great Texans stand tall in the eyes of the world.
We hope you visit our website, follow us on Facebook, tweet along with us on Twitter, and redouble your tremendous efforts to deliver Democrats to victory in 2010 and beyond. Thank you for all of your hard work, and may God bless Texas.
(We welcome TDP Chair Boyd Richie, who is posting the latest in our "5 Years Ago" series. Thanks for all you're doing, Chairman Richie, and we all look forward to working with the Texas Democratic Party over the coming year! - promoted by Phillip Martin)
In the aftermath of the November, 2002 General Election, Democrats were left without any statewide office and had lost control of the Texas House as a result of the first round of redistricting battles. At the time, I was a State Democratic Executive Committee Member from Senate District 30 and I felt the same frustration and angst that our fellow Democrats were feeling statewide.
Democrats were losing races even though our candidates offered better choices and opportunities for Texans, but it was clear our candidates and our Party were not effectively communicating our message to voters. In the months to come, analysts and consultants would try to determine what went wrong. But after that dark day in 2002, we were never presented with a course of action to turn things around and we learned that there was no quick fix to taking back our state.
In the meantime, a "new" Republican controlled Texas Legislature was trying to undermine the choices of voters by attempting to pass a mid-decade redistricting map drawn and forced on the Texas Legislature by then Congressman Tom DeLay. In the short run, after ten months and three special sessions of courageous Democratic opposition, Delay won the battle. But in the long run, 2003 was the beginning of the end for Republicans in Texas. They had gone too far and Texas voters were taking notice.
I am proud to report that the Texas Democratic Party's ePrimary Poll has been a huge success. Because of your help spreading the word to our fellow Democrats, in just five short days, over 7,200 Texas Democrats have cast their vote for President!
That's over five times the number of Texas Republicans who cast their vote in last weekend's exclusive Straw Poll. And we're not done yet! With one more day left to vote, all Texas Democrats still have a chance to make their voices heard in the next presidential election.
The enormous participation in the TDP ePrimary Poll is evidence of a Democratic Party on the rise in the Lone Star State. While Texas Republicans had only third-string candidates and embarrassingly low turnout at their VIP-only Straw Poll last weekend, Democrats from every corner of the state are energized by our Party's strong field of presidential candidates and showing their excitement for 2008 in the ePrimary Poll.
Democrats believe our state and nation are better served when more people participate, and the ePrimary Poll is a way for all Texas Democrats to get involved in the primary process and weigh in as our Party selects a presidential nominee. Tell the country which Democrats you want to see take over the White House!
If you haven't voted in the ePrimary Poll, there's still time. Texas Democrats have until TOMORROW at 11:59pm to cast their vote for any one of our Democratic presidential candidates.
During the Texas Democratic Party’s recent Town Hall Tour, I traveled nearly 10,000 miles and visited with thousands of Democrats. And I am proud to report that Texas Democrats are unified, energized and eager to win in 2008!
Like most Americans, Democrats from Texarkana to El Paso are tired of George Bush’s failure and ready for a change in the White House. That’s why I am very pleased to announce that the Texas Democratic Party is holding our first-ever ePrimary Poll, a weeklong online event that will give Texas Democrats a chance to support their favorite candidate for President.
Starting today, Democrats across the Lone Star State have the opportunity to cast their vote for any of our outstanding presidential candidates at the TDP website. After Republican leaders weakened the influence of Texas voters by failing to move up our state’s primary election, the TDP is doing everything we can to ensure Texas Democrats have a say in determining the next president of the United States. Now is the time to make your voice heard!
Training on the Texas Democratic Party's online voter file system (VAN)
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
McLennan County Democratic Party HQ
3400 Bosque, Waco, TX 76710
Texas Democratic Party Town Hall
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
McLennan County Democratic Party HQ
3400 Bosque, Waco, TX 76710
These events are free and provide an opportunity for all Democrats to share their ideas about how to continue building the Texas Democratic Party. If you have any questions about the VAN training or Town Hall, please call Sondra Haltom, Texas Democratic Party Field Director, at 512-478-9800.
TDP Fundraiser
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
at the home of
The Honorable Karen Matkin
2824 Rico, Waco, Texas 76710
Individual Tickets $35
For more information or to RSVP for the fundraiser, please contact Katelyn Patterson at 512-478-9800 or kpatterson@txdemocrats.org.
Texas Democratic Party Town Hall
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
Northeast Service Center
10303 Tool Yard
San Antonio, TX 78233
Training on the Texas Democratic Party’s online voter file system (VAN)
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Northeast Service Center
10303 Tool Yard
San Antonio, TX 78233
The Tool Yard is on the south side of Wurzbach Parkway--- between Perrin Beitel and Thousand Oaks --- west of I-35 and north of the north loop I-410. The Tool Yard is the very first building to the right when you wind in on Tool Yard Road.
These two events are free and provide an opportunity for all Democrats to share their ideas about how to continue building the Texas Democratic Party. If you have any questions about the VAN training or Town Hall, please call Sondra Haltom, Texas Democratic Party Field Director, at 512-478-9800.
TDP Fundraiser
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Woodmont Town Homes
Club House
3843 Barrington Street
San Antonio, Texas 78217
Individual Tickets $25
For more information or to RSVP for the fundraiser, please contact Katelyn Patterson at 512-478-9800 or kpatterson@txdemocrats.org.
